FULL STORY SUMMARY

Rated M for mature. Reader discretion advised.

Following her mother's passing, the young Himari Maeda and her father become involved with the ruthless Kato family. Himari endures ongoing mistreatment from the family, but everything takes a turn when she unknowingly falls for Muzan Kibutsuji, The Progenitor of Demons.

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Hello there! Comments and kudos are super appreciated!

? THANKS FOR READING ?

MEDIA DICTIONARY

* Thoughts

* "Dialogue."

* 'Telepathic dialogue.'

* "Past conversation."

* {Sound}

* [Movement]

REI

Rei's delicate hands massaged her bud underneath her blanket. The woman tossed in turned in arousal, thinking about the last time her husband, Tsukihiko, had taken her.

Oh, ahh…. I'm so close!

She stuck two digits inside of her wet slit and thrusted them into herself repeatedly. This had been the seventh time she had masturbated since Tsukihiko had left two days ago.

Unfeeling, Rei finally climaxed with a blank expression on her face. No matter how many times she tried, nothing could make her feel more pleasurable than sex with Tsukihiko.

Rei angrily turned on her side. The woman was frustrated because she was forced to be in bed pleasuring herself alone.

For once, why won't he choose me before everything else?

Because the thick curtains were drawn, Rei didn't know what time it was. Suddenly, she heard a rampage of soft knocks.

"Mommy!" a small, muffled voice cried out. "Wake up, mommy! I want some breakfast!"

Rei sat up and smiled faintly

My sweet daughter… Exactly who I needed to see.

After dressing in a robe, she and her daughter walked to the kitchen. The ecstatic tot giggled in glee as her mother smothered her in a barrage of kisses.

"Eek, mommy stop!" she pleaded, laughing joyously. For the rest of the way, Rei carried the small girl in her arms.

"Sweetie, what would you like for breakfast?"

"... Pancakes! Yeah, pancakes! With a lot of yummy syrup!"

Obligingly, Rei cooked a stack of pancakes and sat beside her daughter while they ate.

Between mouthfuls, the little girl asked, "When will daddy be back?"

Suddenly, Rei's happy demeanor shifted.

When exactly would Tsukihiko be back? He wasn't specific with the date, he only said that it would take a couple of days.

"I don't sweetie, but I'm sure that'll be soon. You know, your father is such a busy man." Rei smiled disingenuously to comfort her daughter.

In truth, Rei had her own suspicions.

… What if he's with another woman?

The thought of having an affair had crossed her mind a couple of times. Rei tried not to believe that her Tsukihiko would be capable of betraying her in such a way.

No, that's nonsense. Tsukihiko loves me and likes what he sees!

Ever since they got married, Rei has stepped up and embraced the woman she was meant to be. She discovered that Tsukihiko had certain preferences when it came to women: they should be soft-spoken, delicate, have no body hair, and be very slender.

Every week, she went to the spa for various treatments, such as facials and pedicures. Rei regularly received hot wax treatments for her entire body. Even after many years since giving birth, Rei still struggled to lose weight. Regardless of the diet or exercise regimen she tried, the stubborn fat refused to budge. She would gaze at her reflection and angrily pinch her excess fat.

So, as a result, she stopped eating. The weight dropped faster than anchor in the middle of sea but so did her happiness.

Rei stared emptily at the stack of pancakes in front of her.

I can't possibly eat this…

She turned her gaze to her daughter, who was consuming pancakes whole.

She's so innocent and pure. What I'd give to be as oblivious as she…

"Mommy, why aren't you eating?" her daughter asked, pulling Rei out of her intrusive thoughts.

"Oh, sweetheart," she cooed as she pulled the girl into a hug, "Mommy ate breakfast earlier."

MUZAN

Muzan was positioned in his private laboratory, surrounded by an assortment of colorful beakers and numerous books filling the space. For ages, Muzan had dedicated himself to studying the notorious Blue Spider Lily, the very flower that had transformed him into a demon. The Demon Lord aspired to develop immunity to the sun.

Amid his research, Muzan found himself increasingly preoccupied by the young human woman who had captured his interest.

I hope the girl is fine with my absence and doesn't take offense... What? Forget it. Never mind that thought. That harlot will have to deal with whatever I throw her way and she's going to like it!

Muzan, feeling agitated, hurled a book against the wall. Still, he pondered what Himari was up to at that moment. Though he could have effortlessly sent one of his subordinates to investigate and observe her through their eyes, he found the idea of spying on her inappropriate.

Despite existing for centuries, Muzan still found women to be complex. His current wife, Rei, immediately clouded his mind.

That aggravating woman and her cursed spawn are such a pain. That's it, I'll dispose of them today… I know the perfect demon who can complete this task on my behalf.

With a twisted, malicious grin upon his face, Muzan used telepathy to instruct Nakime to call forth one of the Upper Moons.

'Nakime, summon Upper Rank Three.'

The Demon Lord selected Akaza for the brutal assignment to assess the demon's allegiance to him. It was common knowledge that Upper Rank Three retained human emotions and harbored a tenderness towards women and children. Muzan was aware of Akaza's sorrowful past involving his deceased wife, Koyuki.

I am certain that he will enjoy this particular task…

The floors and walls trembled as if conscious, and then a demon with vibrant pink haired materialized.

Akaza kneeled down before his Master. "Master Muzan-sama."

The Demon Lord continued mixing chemicals and extracting plant DNA without even glancing in Akaza's direction. Suddenly, he asked, "Akaza, are you content with where you are?"

Akaza did not understand what Muzan meant.

"I mean, regarding your rank," Muzan clarified, a subtle smirk growing upon his pale face. "It is obvious that you are more fitting to be the second Upper Rank. You are much more deserving than Douma, the dimwitted placeholder."

"Master Muzan-sama," Akaza began, his voice unwavering. "With your blessing and permission, I wish to challenge Douma to a Blood Battle."

Muzan suddenly stopped mixing a beaker filled with chemicals and placed it on the table. Gazing at Akaza, he stated, "I will not allow it, for it is meaningless. A Blood Battle will result in the loss of a competent, high-ranking demon. However, there is an alternative method for you to obtain what rightfully belongs to you, Akaza. I have a proposition for you: I need you to dispose of two… particular humans."

Assuming the two humans were affiliated with the Demon Slayer Corps., Akaza's muscles tensed in anticipation.

"I need you to kill my wife, Rei Watanabe, and her young daughter."

Akaza involuntarily raised his head, his horror and revulsion evident even through clenched fangs. His bewildered mind searched desperately for answers: Why did Muzan wish for his human family to die? Why did Muzan choose him, out of all demons, to do the deed?

"I will not answer any of your inquiries," Muzan continued nonchalantly. "Your sole purpose is to carry out my requests, but given your unwavering loyalty, I will offer you a choice, Akaza. You are not obligated to comply if you are uncomfortable with the task. I am aware of your... abnormality."

Akaza winced.

"You are not obligated to do anything, but if you kill Rei Watanabe and her daughter, the position as the second Upper Rank is yours. I am certain you will make the right choice, hm? We are done here."

A biwa's resonant plucking echoed from the near distance, and Akaza vanished, teleported back to where humans dwelled.

Now, let's see if he has it in him.

AKAZA

Akaza stood at the peak of a tall tree, his short, pink hair ruffled and tousled by the night wind.

I am not the one for the task Master Muzan-sama gave me. He wants me to kill a woman and a child, knowing my past! Damn it, he's fucking with me.

He claims I have a choice, but I'm not naive enough to believe that. If he commands you to do something, you're left with no alternative but to comply. Of course, he'll threaten my life if I don't carry out his wishes as he desires.

Damn it!

When Akaza thought about his late wife, Koyuki, he felt a sharp pang in his heart.

No matter what I do, I cannot bring myself to harm women and children.

Koyuki, my darling Koyuki…